Aberdeen and the North East

What it is like

Aberdeen is Scotland's third city, built from grey granite and known for the energy industry. Oil and gas shaped the economy for decades; offshore wind and other low-carbon energy are a growing share of the work. There are two universities, a major hospital, and a working harbour.

Beyond the city, Aberdeenshire has fishing towns on the coast, farmland, and Royal Deeside running west into the Cairngorms National Park.

Where people live

In and around the city: the West End for granite terraces near the centre. Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber along the Dee for larger family houses. Westhill, Kingswells and Dyce on the edge of the city.

Aberdeenshire: Stonehaven on the coast to the south, Banchory and Aboyne in Deeside, Inverurie and Ellon to the north. Peterhead and Fraserburgh are the larger fishing towns.

Moray: Elgin, Forres and Speyside, further west towards Inverness.

Getting about

Trains run south to Dundee and Edinburgh and north west to Inverness. Aberdeen Airport has domestic and European flights, plus helicopter services to offshore installations. The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route takes through traffic around the city. Outside the city you will need a car.

Homes

House prices in Aberdeen fell after the oil price drop in 2014 and many areas are still below their peak, which means good value compared with Edinburgh and Glasgow. Homes here are less likely to go to a closing date, and some sell at a fixed price. Granite homes are durable, but check the Home Report for roof and damp comments.

Rents are lower than in the Central Belt. See our guide to renting.

Schools

Places follow catchment by address. Some fast-growing towns have had pressure on school places; check with the council before you buy in a new development.